Who Wants to go to the Drags?

Zoom This · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 09:03 AM

Well, what started out as just a conversation in passing has grown in participation, so I thought I'd spread the word here for any of the club members that may want to join those that are going to Infineon Wednesday night, 11/8 - weather permitting.

The date that we have settled on is Wednesday night, 11/8. So far, we have Scott Beall, Chris Hutchins, Mark Connell, Bill Meyer, Larry Davi committed to racing. Gio and Tom have said they want to join us, but just want to watch.

The entry fee to race Wednesday night is $25, $15 to watch. Gates open at 3 pm, racing starts at 5 to 10 pm. Scott has scored on a trailer, just in case someone breaks and can't limp home.

There is race gas in several octanes for those of you that may want to top off with some of the good stuff when you get there.

General rules to race are....
1) If you go faster than 10 seconds (hah hah) you need an NHRA license.
2) Helmet meeting SFI 31.1 or 31.2 or Snell 95 required if you go faster than 14 seconds.
3) Good taillights, brakes, radiator catch can, battery tie down, shirt and full length pants required. There's lots of rules, but I'm just weeding thru those that may need our attention.
3) Neutral safety switch required and functional. Flywheel and clutch must meet SFI 1-1 or 1-2 and flywheel shield meet SFI 6-1 if faster than 11.99 seconds with a manual tranny. No fluid leaks allowed.
4) Gotta have a driveline hoop if faster than 12.99.
5) If you run faster than 11.49 you need a full roll cage and 5 pt. harness.
6) Rules state if you have a convertible and run 12.00-13.99 you must have an approved roll bar, padded and a 5 pt. quick release harness. I am not sure if our cars qualify as convertibles under this rule. Bottom line for all these rules is that the tech inspectors will decide if you are safe. If you are too fast for a particular class, they will ask you not to run anymore for the evening.

Scott - parachutes are required for over 150 mph - bedsheets won't cut it.

For anyone else that wants to race, just chime in here.

Go to this site for a comprehensive list of rules.

http://www.infineonraceway.com/docum...ketRules06.pdf

Bill

dlang14 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 10:23 AM

I've been wanting to do this for a while. I may have a business trip that week, so I'm not commited yet, but I do want to go and race. Consider me a firm maybe

Daryl

Tom Howland · #3 (**permalink**) 10-18-2006, 05:49 PM

Count me in. I’ll volunteer for pit crew and if you need I’ll drive the support vehicle. I won’t be racing. Not with Scott in the line up.

scootter · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 04:03 PM

You guys are putting way to much pressure on me

. I don't think I can take it.

Scott

badrich · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2006, 03:59 PM

That's what you get for having the biggest engine on the block, Scott. I'd love to see what my beast would do in the quarter mile, but I'm afraid I need to do a little work before I'd get by tech (pad my roll bar, finish fabricating and installing my driveline hoop, installing a new harness with arm restraints, etc. And what's a protective jacket "3.2A/1?" Will my black leather jacket with an eagle on the back suffice? Does anyone have "mechanical means of outside door entry?" Will we have to install door handles?

And what's this about "no bicycle parts?" Or will this only affect me? So many questions. And if my new Goodyear drag slicks really hook up and I get under 11 seconds, I'll have to get rid of my IRS and put in a roll cage. Well, maybe I wouldn't be *that* quick... Rich

Zoom This · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 09:24 AM

Well, I hate to be the first to say the "R" word, but the forecast as of Sunday morning for this coming Wednesday Night drags does not look promising. Just keep an eye on the weather as the week progresses and if we're lucky, Wednesday afternoon and evening will be dry.

So far, as I recall, we have myself, Chris Hutchins, Scott Beall, Larry Davi, Mark Connell, Daryl Lang to race. Tom Howland, Tom Blumberg and Gio Matteucci are the pit crew.

jmarsey · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 09:41 AM

Hi Guys,

If the weather holds I'll try to come out and help crew for you guys. The weather is dicey for Wednesday but may just be dry too. Depends on which forcast you look at. You drag race boys are a brave bunch. Looking forward to it.

Talk soon, John

dlang14 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2006, 01:06 PM

If the weather holds put me down as a yes. My trip to Montreal is now next week.

Zoom This · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 06:32 PM

Well, for what it's worth, the forecast from KGO-7 states that there may be a few showers in the morning, but clearing in the afternoon for tomorrow, Wednesday the 8th. If it's dry here at the house, and dry at the track, I'll see you all there around 3-330 pm.

Guppiedriver · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 06:40 AM

Well I think I'm out for today. Not only am I pessimistic about the weather, but my oil pressure guage is questionable. I spent all day yesterday working on it and am still not sure it's working right. Does anyone know if it's necessary to "bleed" a oil pressure gauge to get it to work properly? Not sure if I have a bad gauge, or air stuck in the line. Mark

Zoom This · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 07:09 AM

Mark....You may have a defective pressure gauge(?). Can you get a hold of a gauge to screw into the oil pressure outlet in the block? The line for the gauge itself is filled with either, from what I've heard, no air. You may need a new replacement gauge.

Bill

CJ428CJ · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 08:32 AM

Mark,

My oil pressure line is full of air yet the gauge seems to work properly. I don't think it's necessary to bleed it.

Chris

cobrasnake · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 09:29 AM

Mark - are you talking about oil pressure or oil temperature? I believe the oil pressure gauge just has oil in it while the oil temperature gauge has ether in it.

My oil temp gauge went out recently and I have a replacement one that I have not yet installed which you could have if that would get you going today. I bought it at Nosingers as the repair wasn't a whole lot cheaper than replacement. I understand it does take some time to re-run the line from the engine to the dash and one must be careful not to kink the line.

Can you just rely on your water temp. gauge for today?

Just my 2¢.

Hope you can make it - Tom

P.S. No longer raining in Burlingame - should be fine for this evening.

Monster · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 01:24 PM

Some air is normal in the oil pressure line. The question is what is the pressure reading when cold, warm (at idle and underload) if the pressures are registering at acceptable ranges you are probably fine.

The generl rule of thumb is 10psi for every 1000 RPM (when hot)...
RPM
750 - 1000(idle)---> 10 - 20 PSI
2000--------------> 20 - 30 PSI
3000--------------> 30 - 40 PSI
4000--------------> 40 - 50 PSI

These are "general" numbers, basically pressure should increase as more flow is generated and the flow restrictions in the oil system cause pressure to build. Worn bearings, etc do not allow the pressures to build and result in low pressure readings .

Mike

BTW: the weather forecast for Sonoma tonight is 10% chance of rain (90% chance it won't rain)

Guppiedriver · #15 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 04:21 PM

Thanks for all the help, I think I got it worked out. This is the oil pressure guage and I also have always thought some air in the line wouln't hurt. Here's what happened. I had to change a fitting on the back of the gauge for some more room, the fitting that was on there was hitting the heater box. It was leaking very slightly. After I replaced the fitting and fired it up the pressure gauge went to about 25#'s and stayed there, even after I shut it down. I removed the gauge again and found the inside mechanism of the gauge loose in the housing. When I tightened up everything it seemed to work properly. I have not had a chance to drive it yet, just running it in the garage and so far it looks good. I figured it should not make much difference if the engine is warm or not because warm oil probably never gets to the gauge. The pressures change when it warms up, but I don't know how else that should affect the gauge. Thanks again for all the help guys. Mark

badrich · #16 (**permalink**) 11-08-2006, 05:02 PM

If ya had a big block, Mark, ya wouldn't need no heater.

Rich

dlang14 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-09-2006, 09:10 AM

I got scarred off by the weather, looks like it turned out to be perfect. How was it? Did they hastle anyone about roll bars? Any times to post or time slips to share? I wish I had gone! Oh well maybe we can do it again sometime and I'll go for sure.

Daryl

Tom Howland · #18 (**permalink**) 11-09-2006, 09:10 AM

Well, they took one look at our Cobras and said, you guys win, no need to race, go back to the entry point and get your money back!! I’m serious about the money part though. The tech inspector would not let us run the cars. Any convertible running less than 13.5 seconds must have a FULL roll cage. He said these cars will run less than 13.5 won’t they. I said, yes they will. Oh well. I had a good time. Saw some really fast cars. Was with great company. Cursed the tech guy a lot, behind his back of course. Maybe Sacramento next time. Thanks Bill for setting it up, I enjoyed the day.

CJ428CJ · #19 (**permalink**) 11-09-2006, 02:09 PM

The tech guy kept changing his story. First it was "there is no classification for these cars. They are not convertibles." When I asked why not, he said because they don't have a top. I told him I had a top for mine and he then said I'd need to comply with the dune buggy requirements. Say what? Then it became something along the lines of these cars are unsafe on the road, much less at the track. That evolved into they have too high of a power to weight ratio. Say what? I didn't read about that one in the rule book anywhere. His last excuse was something along the lines of he used to work for Caltrans and they would do crash testing into road barriers and these fiberglass cars just desintegrate so they're not safe. That didn't seem to prevent him from signing off on all the corvettes though (or the fiberglass 55 Chevy that hit the wall at about 100 mph shortly after we got there).

Oh well. The rule book did say the decision of the tech inspector is final. It's pretty hard to argue with that one.

Randy Rosenberg · #20 (**permalink**) 11-09-2006, 02:43 PM

A couple of years ago, at one of the Nor Cal Shebly Club's Mini-Nats, the club ran 1/4 mile races instead of one of the morning Open-Track sessions. I don't recall any specific "safety" standards, other than common sense.

Maybe the thing to do is to find out if any clubs rent the track for 1/4 mile races, as opposed to the road race course.

How come I'm not surprised that the tech inspector used to work for Caltrans?